The release of R8 seems eminent. There seems to be a countdown on Rihanna's eighth studio album. We have some recorded tracks. We have an album cover. We have a few singles. And, when it's released it's bound to be one of the biggest sellers of that sales year
The album now known as Anti was originally referred to as R8 by fans and Rihanna alike. This album was initially reported to be released last year sometime in November. Although, no singles or other qualifying matters reinforced that statement and November went by without it's release. |
In January of 2015 word arrived. “Four Five Seconds” marked Rihanna's return to radio as lead artist with the help of Paul McCartney and an auto tuned Kanye. The song was a surprising turn for the singer and dominated radio. That's how much we missed Rihanna.
She followed it up with “Bitch Better Have My Money”. A song more in line with the Rihanna we know. The belated music video showed murder and carnage and sex appeal and it more then proved what an adequate role model Rihanna is. More then a few people have compared it to the Unapologetic hit “Pour It Up”. That comparison is not unfounded. It was a return to form. |
When will a new single drop? Will we have a new single before Anti is released? Is Anti even planned for a 2015 release?
Everyone working on the album is praising it. Sia has given her a few songs. A more then welcome exchange considering their collaboration that produced “Diamonds”. Belated underground pop star Natalia Kills has been in the recording studio with Rihanna. Kanye is there. Ne-Yo has stopped by and said that Rihanna is creating a classic Everyone's favorite gymnastic vocalist Kiesza is writing for Rihanna. |
The singles have done little to tell us what the album will sound like or how cohesive it will be. A tracklist with “Four Five Seconds” and “Bitch Better Have My Money” on it seem contradictory and yet they'll fit on there somewhere.
The promotional campaign for this albums seems unusual at best or maybe that's just what happens when you live in a Beyonce world. There is no doubt this will be one of Rihanna's best. The last time she took more then a year to release an album she gave us Rated R. That album is a musical accomplishment and one of the best. Rihanna is about to murder us all. |